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All courses Math Foundations · MF.SN.1 23 of 60
Compare, order, and locate signed integers and rational numbers on a number line.

Compare two signed numbers

Problem
Compare \(-4\) and \(-9\).
Your answer
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Hint

Notice that both numbers are negative. Think about which one is closer to 0 on a number line.

For negative numbers, the value farther to the right on the number line is greater.

Solution walkthrough

01

Compare positions relative to zero

\[-9~<~-4~<~0\]

Among negative numbers, the value closer to zero lies farther right and is greater.

02

Keep the original order

\[-4~\text{is}~4~\text{units}~\text{from}~0;~-9~\text{is}~9~\text{units}~\text{from}~0\]

Because -4 is less negative than -9, it is the greater of the two.

03

Write the true comparison

\[-4~>~-9\]

The greater-than symbol correctly compares the original first number with the second.

+

Another way

  1. Imagine a number line: -4 is to the right of -9, so -4 is greater.

!

Common mistake

Do not compare 4 and 9 while ignoring their negative signs. A larger absolute value makes a negative number smaller.

Solution walkthrough video